Our Team
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Zeffin Hollis, Executive Director & Co-Artistic Director
A celebrated baritone and opera innovator, this craftsman has performed over 100 roles with leading companies like NYCO, Dallas Opera, and Santa Fe Opera and is equally renowned for work as a director, producer, and artistic leader.
For a deeper look: zeffin.com -
Laura Parker, Co-Artistic Director
A certified Alexander Technique teacher, professional opera singer, and renowned educator, this expert seamlessly integrates improvisation into her teaching and serves on the faculty at Chapman University.
For a deeper look: atwithlaura.com -
Ann Baltz, Creative Projects Director
Recognized as one of America’s leading opera educators, she has revolutionized singer training through a holistic, interdisciplinary approach.
Her legacy extends beyond OperaWorks with tools like the Attitude Cards, Gesture/Movement Cards, and Musicality Cards that continue to empower singers and educators to break artistic barriers. Find them here.
For a deeper look: annbaltz.com
Our Board of Directors
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Ann Baltz, President
Ann Baltz returns as Board President
OperaWorks is thrilled to welcome our founder, Ann Baltz, back as President of the Board. Ann’s vision built OperaWorks from the ground up, and her return marks a bold, values-forward new chapter, artist-centered training, rigorous standards, and deep care for the whole performer.
For a deeper look: annbaltz.com -
Mark Hearn, Treasurer
A commercial real estate expert and Certified Residential Appraiser, Mark Hearn is also a classically trained baritone. As president of Hearn Quality Appraisal, he advises major institutions while staying active in opera and musical theater, blending business insight with artistic passion.
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Elena Armijo, Director
A former professional soprano and Master Certified Executive and Leadership Coach who brings both artistic insight and transformational leadership to the OperaWorks board. After performing internationally at venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, she transitioned from opera to coaching, founding The C-Suite Collective. Elena is passionate about helping artists build careers rooted in clarity, courage, and sustainable success alongside rigorous artistry.
For a deeper look: elenaarmijo.com -
Roland Mills, Director
Roland Mills is a tenor and talent leader who pairs artistic rigor with people-first leadership. Trained at Northern Arizona University and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, he has performed with Boston Lyric Opera. He currently serves as Vice President, Director of Recruiting at Oaktree Funding Corp., leading hiring strategy and building high-performing teams.
Our Advisors
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Luretta Bybee
INTERNATIONAL MEZZO-SOPRANO
VOICE TEACHER
NEW ORLEANS -
Adam Cavagnaro*
PRESIDENT
PROMETHEAN ARTIST MANAGEMENT
SAN FRANCISCO -
Michael Chioldi*
INTERNATIONAL BARITONE
NYC -
Catherine Cook
VOICE FACULTY
SF CONSERVATORY
SAN FRANCISCO -
Jon Ellis*
EMERITUS BOARD CHAIR
VOICE TEACHER
SAN FRANCISCO -
David Gately
INTERNATIONAL STAGE DIRECTOR
BOSTON/SEATTLE -
Dr. Don Greene
PHD PEAK PERFORMANCE COACH
U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM
LOS ANGELES -
Shawn Marie Jeffery*
VICE PRESIDENT OF
CLASSICAL & CREATIVES
UIA TALENT
NYC -
Kathleen Kelly
INTERNATIONAL COACH/CONDUCTOR
WACO -
Shigemi Matsumoto
INTERNATIONAL SOPRANO
VOICE TEACHER
LOS ANGELES -
Beth Morrison*
FOUNDER
BETH MORRISON PROJECTS
BROOKLYN -
Hila Plitmann*
TWO-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
TEXAS -
Alexa Ray*
INTERNATIONAL SINGER
SONGWRITER & RECORDING ARTIST
CANADA -
Kamala Sankaram*
INTERNATIONAL COMPOSER
& PERFORMER
NYC -
Randall Scotting*
INTERNATIONAL COUNTERTENOR
EUROPE / US -
Darren K Woods
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SEAGLE PROGRAM
UPSTATE NY -
* OperaWorks Alum